Al-Ruwais, Opening the Commission's Forum 2017: The Commission's Strategy Aims to Bring the Sector to Regulation That Achieves High Competitiveness, Distinguished Service for Subscribers, and a Stimulating Environment for Investors

His Excellency Dr. Abdulaziz bin Salem Al-Ruwais, Governor of the Communications and Information Technology Commission, opened this morning, at the Commission's headquarters in Riyadh, the activities of the Communications and Information Technology Commission Forum 2017, held under the title "Stimulating Investment and Sector Trends," in the presence of His Excellency Dr. Mohammed bin Ibrahim Al-Suwayel, Minister of Communications and Information Technology and Chairman of the Commission's Board of Directors, the Governor of the General Commission for Small and Medium Enterprises Dr. Ghassan bin Ahmed Al-Sulaiman, members of the Transport, Communications and Information Technology Committee of the Shura Council, members of the Board of Directors of the Council of Saudi Chambers, members of the boards of directors of chambers of commerce and industry in the Kingdom, members of communications and information technology committees at chambers of commerce and industry in the Kingdom, heads of licensed communications and information technology companies in the Kingdom, editors-in-chief of newspapers, and a number of businessmen and those interested in the sector.

His Excellency opened the forum with a speech welcoming the attendees from the private and public sectors, affirming that the current development and growth witnessed by the communications and information technology sector would not have reached what it has, except as a result of the generous support the sector enjoys from the government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques — may God protect him.

The Governor of the Communications and Information Technology Commission estimated the current size of the communications and information technology sector in the Kingdom at about SAR 180 billion, while estimating the size of capital investments in the sector at more than SAR 50 billion, and spending on communications and information technology services at more than SAR 130 billion during 2016. He also noted that the sector's contribution to GDP had reached about (6%) and about (10%) of non-oil GDP. Dr. Al-Ruwais expected spending on communications and information technology services to grow to about (138) billion riyals by the end of 2017, due to large investments from the government and private sectors.

The Governor of the Communications and Information Technology Commission affirmed that the National Transformation Program 2020 came as one of the main programs supporting the achievement of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, including strategic goals linked to interim targets through 2020, and he also considered the communications and information technology sector one of the most important pillars of this program, as the vision's components related to the sector include developing communications, information technology, and broadband infrastructure, innovation in advanced technologies, in addition to investment in the digital economy.

Dr. Al-Ruwais added that, in response to this national direction, the Commission recently prepared an ambitious strategic plan aimed at bringing the communications and information technology sector to regulation that achieves high competitiveness, distinguished service for subscribers, and a stimulating environment for investors, through a number of projects aimed at increasing investment opportunities in this sector, such as regulating hosting, cloud computing, adopting the concept of unified licenses, establishing national and neutral internet exchange points, a program to support small and medium enterprises in the sector, enhancing network and information security, and others.

In a related context, the Governor of the Communications and Information Technology Commission said, "The present and the outlook for the future affirm that development in the coming years will depend mainly on the communications and information technology sector, and this sector will contribute to all developmental aspects without exception, including banking services, e-learning, e-government, healthcare services, and others, and this will create attractive investment opportunities to be seized with the skills, thinking, and experience of the private sector to drive the wheel of development in this generous country. The Commission will work to continue its efforts in creating an effective regulatory environment to attract and localize investments, and to study the best ways to overcome the challenges facing investment in this important sector."

In closing his speech, he asked God to perpetuate security and stability upon our country, and glory and empowerment upon our wise government, and to grant victory to our stationed soldiers, support them with troops from Him, and turn away from our country the plots of enemies and those who bear ill will.

It is worth noting that the Communications and Information Technology Commission Forum, "Stimulating Investment and Sector Trends," featured three sessions addressing the future of the communications and information technology sector and the regulatory environment, investment opportunities in the communications and information technology sector, and enhancing and protecting competition.